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Clement Desmier was "well known" in Bradford and Shipley, police said

A murder charge against a man accused of killing a former musician in Bradford has been withdrawn.

Derek Newby, 63, of Ravenscliffe, was alleged to have killed Clement Desmier, 68, who was stabbed to death at his home on Rowlestone Rise last August.

West Yorkshire Police said the Crown Prosecution Service had withdrawn the charge in light of further evidence.

Det Supt Mark Ridley has renewed an appeal for information and said he believed the answer "lies locally".

Mr Desmier, who was known as Butch, had been stabbed more than 40 times.

Mr Ridley said: "We have had a lot of support from the community and, in terms of the people who do know who is responsible, it is possible that their allegiances have changed and they may now feel comfortable to give us that information."